many analysts had already called it washington's worst kept secret. if confirmed senator john kerry takes on a key role in the national security team during the second term. senator john kerry would replace the current secretary of state, hillary clinton, who will step down early next year. this afternoon, president obama calling senator kerry an exemplary public servant. >> we turn the page on a decade of war he knows we have to harness american power and ensure they work telling, diplomatic and development, economic and political, military and intelligence, as well as the power of our values which inspire so many people around the world. >>gregg: john kerry has chaired the senate foreign relations committee for six years after his failed presidential bid in 2004. wendell is like at the white house. any sign of a fight over senate confirmation or is this a foregone conclusion? >>reporter: you are right, it is a foregone conclusion. the senate is a close knit group and he has been there 20 years. he will not need on the job training and he called on l